Slightly better starting 17 than last year but much less depth in the forwards and we still have a $hite right hand side which will continue to be targetted.

Whiting at 13 for me,with Ticks and Westy in the back row,bringing on Manu after around 15/20 mins.

Much better than last year.

Better FB.
A Scrum Half and a even a back up.
Better props.

Depth is a concern.

Only loss from last year is Fitz IMO.

McKinnon
Sharp
Whiting
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Seymour
O'Meley
Heremaia
Lynch
Tickle
Manu
Westerman

Moa
O'Carroll
Aspinwall
Houghton

McKinnon
Sharp
Martin
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Seymour
O'Meley
Heremaia
Lynch
Tickle
Aspinwall
Westerman

Moa
O'Carroll
Manu
Houghton

You cannot say a player is better just by specualting what he may do next season when we have never seen them play for us. The new signings may go well but they may not. Seymour could become a legend though he could also become an Orford. The squad was shaping up nicely but then we sign Martin (average at Crus) and Aspinwall (not good enough for Cas) so essentially we have repaced like with like imo when we had the opportunity to take the squad to another level

looks a lot better than last year, apart from fitzy, fingers crossed we can go well, cant wait for feb,

If you can't say they're better or worse then how can you say the squad is the same for next season? How can you say Martin and Aspinwall are not good enough when you have never seen them play for us?

Ok point taken but at least Martin and Aspinwall are know super league quantities, Seymour and McKinnon are not so to say they are better when theyve never played in the comp is wrong imo. .

I understand that one of Willie Manu's key strengths is his impact, but surely you have to start each game with your strongest 13? Aspinwall over Manu?

But as an impact his best time to come on is after 20 minutes or so when the defence has been softened up. The whole point of impact player is to bring them on when they are likely to do the most damage.

Throughout his career at Hull, Manu has been far more effective when starting games.

I agree.

who's to say gentle won't improve our right hand defence with good coaching and organising.

houghton to start at hooker initially with heremaia off the bench after 20 mins - just like he's been doing at the warriors in their last few games. otherwise team as others have said

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. T. Briscoe
6. Seymour
7. Ellis

8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Westerman

14. Heremaia
15. Aspinwall
16. O'Carroll
17. Moa

To be quite honest, it's hard to say which way he's most effective because of the fact that he's played the vast majority of games from the start. He may well be better from the bench, we simply haven't seen it often enough to properly judge.

Can't believe people are moaning all ready.

In Martin and Aspinwall the club have signed two players for 1 year who have proven SL experience, and won't be costing much on the cap. While of course I would prefer 2 State Of Origin, Aussie or Kiwi internationals to be joining the team...there simply wasn't the budget or anyone available for this to happen for next year.

Next year I would be happy for a place in the top6, being competitive against the top4 and a good cup run. The assault on the Top4 can come the year after when Gentle's had the time and budget to improve the squad.

Tend to agree. Manu's played a lot of minutes under Agar, but the majority were without any halfbacks to speak of and with Plan A being, having run out of ideas in the first 10 minutes, give it to Manu with 3 defenders on him twice a set and expect him to drag the team forward. If expected to do less graft he could do 80 minutes and be more effective IMO.

i agree i do think Martin and Aspinwall are pretty weak signings due to the recent players we were linked to how did we end up with those two? im not saying they are bad but we should be aiming a little higher than those now

1.mckinnon
2.whiting
3.martin
4.yeamen
5.briscoe
6.seymour
7.ellis
8.omeley
9.houghton
10.lynch
11.westy
12.manu
13.tickle
subs
14.heremia
15.moa
16.ocarroll
17.turner/green

i bet your a bundle of fun to be sat near , or maybe you are that moaning get i had the pleasure of listening to all season

An opportunity missed imo. We had the chance to sign quality and show our intent but weve just ended up looking like we have for recent seasons ie mediocre.

Yes thats me though i wish you'd stop stroking my leg!

The top players just aren't available.Look around SL in general as no teams have made any top drawer signings,and tbf,we had already strengthened in the area most needed,the halves.

the last thing on my mind was stroking your leg believe me . but in all seriousness who do you think we could of got everyone is struggling with getting quality , in all fairness im happy with where we are at the moment so lets not judge till they have had a chance to show what they can do